The Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations (Kyochong) revealed today that it plans to organize ‘special classes’ covering the forced repatriation of defectors and other defector issues in elementary, middle and high schools countrywide.
Kyochong plans to set three weeks aside between March 23rd and April 13th for ‘Special Education Week’, producing special lesson plans and teaching materials for both elementary and secondary students separately for access via the federation’s website.
The head of Kyochong, Ahn Yang Ok explained, “We have sent a letter criticizing the forced repatriation of our defector compatriots to the Chinese Embassy in South Korea and have promised to have special classes for elementary, middle and high schools nationwide. Through these special classes, the South Korean students will learn about violations of the human rights of defectors and it will remind them that South Korea is the only divided country in the world”.
The special classes are not part of the current school curriculum. Specific lessons will be finalized within individual schools and approved by school principals.
“These special classes will link to the curriculum on ethical and social studies that deals with defectors and human rights problems within the unification framework in elementary, middle and high schools nationwide,” a Kyochong spokesperson explained.
